Business

Novosco expansion creates 50 new jobs

BELFAST IT firm Novosco is set to almost double in size with the addition of 50 new posts.

The company provides IT infrastructure and cloud-based services to clients across Ireland and Britain.

The £4 million expansion, planned over the next two years, has been supported by £624,000 from Invest Northern Ireland.

The jobs are described as "high quality" with the average salary at Novosco around £40,000.

The firm currently employs 70 people in its premises at the Northern Ireland Science Park, and an additional 20 employees at offices in Dublin and Birmingham.

Growth plans will be focused on adding to its growing client base in Britain.

Enterprise minister Arlene Foster said it was pleasing to see a home-grown company flourishing.

"The fact that this is an indigenous company, 20 years of age, has grown organically, steadily over this past period of time, has some very strong roots, very strong foundation and we're delighted to have been able to partner with them to make this announcement today," she said.

"I understand that the company has ambitious growth targets in the GB market and I have no doubt that the additional skills brought through the recruitment of new staff will bring will play an important role in supporting that growth.

"Novosco is part of the thriving and rapidly expanding IT sector in Northern Ireland and is an excellent example of a fast growing locally owned company that has the potential to become a significant player."

Novosco managing director Patrick McAliskey said: "As we continue to grow our business with large organisations in GB, the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, we will require additional skills at our Belfast headquarters to help fulfil these contracts, including service desk engineers, implementation engineers, software consultants and network engineers.

"This will enable us to further expand our established business areas, including providing infrastructure and network services, in addition to growing new opportunities in areas like software development."

"We've benefited from Invest NI support over a number of years to help us build our product portfolio and target export markets. As a result we have been able to accelerate our growth and expand our sales outside Northern Ireland."

* ON THE UP:

Enterprise, trade and investment minister Arlene Foster has announced that Belfast-based IT firm Novosco Ltd is creating 50 new high quality jobs. Novosco is an award-winning company that provides IT infrastructure and cloud-based services to clients across the UK and Ireland.

Pictured during a visit to the company's premises in the Science Park are Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, Patrick McAliskey, founder and managing director of Novosco and Arlene Foster